NJ cop’s son requests COVID-19 vaccine to honor his father



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The young son of a New Jersey cop who died of COVID-19 only asked his mother for one gift for his 12th birthday on Sunday – getting the shot.

Glen Ridge widow Alice Roberts has revealed her son made a request to honor his father, Charles, who died on May 11, 2020, at the start of the pandemic and before vaccines were available.

“My son will be 12 on Sunday. All he asked for on his birthday was a COVID-19 vaccine. You see, her father passed away from COVID-19 on May 11, 2020, and the pandemic has reigned over all of our lives since March 2020, ”Alice wrote in a poignant column for NJ.com.

Roberts said her husband had been a “highly respected” community police officer and contracted the virus at work.

While she and the children were at home with Charles, her heart stopped and it collapsed, she said.

He was among at least 182 other officers who have suffered virus-related deaths and their names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Wall in Washington DC.

Officer Charles Roberts died on May 11, 2020 due to COVID-19.
Officer Charles Roberts died on May 11, 2020 due to COVID-19.
REUTERS / Mike Segar
According to Roberts' widow, all her son wants for his 12th birthday is the COVID-19 vaccine in honor of his father.
According to Roberts’ widow, all her son wants for his 12th birthday is the COVID-19 vaccine in honor of his father.
REUTERS / Mike Segar
Roberts is among 182 other officers who suffered virus-related deaths while on the job.
Roberts is among 182 other officers who suffered virus-related deaths while on the job.
REUTERS / Mike Segar

Roberts said the family plan to take a trip in October to attend a ceremony where his name will be released.

“I think participation is important to help end my children and myself, and I know my husband would be so proud to have his name on the wall,” she wrote.

Opening up to her family’s grief, Roberts said she hoped to encourage others to join her son for the shot.

Gavin Roberts, 10, wears his father's police hat as he carries a flag in his father's funeral procession.
Gavin Roberts, 10, wears his father’s police hat as he carries a flag in his father’s funeral procession.
REUTERS / Mike Segar
Alice Roberts said her husband was "very respected" in the community and caught the virus while working.
Alice Roberts said her husband was “well respected” in the community and caught the virus while working.
REUTERS / Mike Segar

“By sharing my family’s experience, I hope my husband’s death and our story can help persuade others to do the most patriotic and selfless thing I can think of – get a COVID-19 vaccine. ! she wrote.

“That’s what my son is going to do this Sunday to celebrate his 12th birthday. It will be the one he will not forget.

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